October 21st 2008

There was a small passage of Starlings and Wood Pigeons at Draycote Water this morning but little else moving at first light after yesterdays strong winds. First winter Little Gull remains in toft bay and the Shag was on the training boat with plenty of Meadow Pipits on farborough bank. After coffee things started to liven up with a first winter Pomarine Skua spotted flying purposely across the reservoir at 11:03 but it went straight over hensborough bank heading south. Looked a smart individual in good light and my 6th record. This was then followed by 2 Golden Plover circling before heading north west, 2 Brambling going south west calling and a Sparrowhawk mobbing a Raven. A party of 12 Long-tailed Tits in toft shallows, 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 3 Buzzard, 3 Green Woodpecker and 2 Kingfisher by the inlet were the best of the rest. Late afternoon visit to the valley produced very little apart from 3 Golden Plover and 2 Buzzard.
Back home and another "mervin" in the trap - well just.

Merveille du Jour on the end of my traps actinic light.
Patch News - a House Martin was over Napton on the Hill on Sunday.

Richard